Fluid flow indicator



June 13, 1961 H. .1. SMITH 2,988,069

FLUID FLOW INDICATOR Filed May 25, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 F /4 4y i I{55 INVENTOR azr/y/dwef JW/fk. l I BY June 13, 1961 H. J. SMITH FLUIDFLOW INDICATOR Filed May 25, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

2,988,069 FLUID FLOW INDICATOR Harry James Smith, 5662 S. 2050 W., P.().Box 3, Roy, Utah Filed May 25, 1960, Ser. No. 31,622 4 Claims. (Cl.123-4115) This invention generally relates to a marine engine such as anoutboard motor or engine for use on a boat, and more particularly to anindicator for the cooling water system of such a marine engine.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a novel indicator fora marine engine so that a signal is actuated when the cooling watersystem is functioning properly and also a warning signal is actuatedwhen the cooling system is not functioning properly so that damage tothe engine due to lack of circulation of the proper amount of coolingwater will be minimized or prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide for a marine engine suchas an outboard motor, a cooling water system indicator and wherein aslong as the proper amount of cooling water is circulating through theengine, a light such as a green light will be on which will indicate tothe operator of the boat that the engine cooling system is properlyoperating or functioning, and wherein when the cooling water fails tocirculate for any reason whatsoever, then the green light will go offand a red light will go on so that the operator of the boat will knowthat the system is not functioning properly whereby the necessarycorrective steps can be taken in order to prevent damage such asoverheating to the engine, and wherein in such instances the presentinvention may be used to shut off the engine automatically in the eventthat the cooling water is not properly circulating.

Other objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity ofconstruction, ease of attachment, effectiveness for its particularpurposes and its relatively inexpensive manufacturing cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent resides in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the coolingwater indicator mechanism of the present invention mounted on a marineengine such as an outboard motor.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through theindicator.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken at right angles to the View shown inFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating schematically thewiring diagram of the present invention.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 3.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates aconventional marine engine such as an outboard motor which may beconnected to a boat in the usual manner, as for example by means of theclamp mechanism 22. The motor 10 is provided with the usual leg 11 aswell as a cooling water outlet 12, FIGURE 1. According to the presentinvention there is provided an indicator 13 which is constructed orarranged so that the operator of the boat will have a visual warning orsignal when the cooling water system is not functioning properly inorder to insure that the engine or motor will not be damaged fromoverheating as for example due to lack of circulation of the coolingwater.

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As shown in the drawings, the indicator 13 comprises or includes ahollow housing 14 which may be fastened to the upper portion of the leg11 as for example by means of securing elements 15. The top of thehousing is open as indicated by the numeral 16, and the bottom wall 17of the housing is provided with an opening 13 therein, for a purpose tobe later described. The numeral 19 indicates a drain pipe which ismounted below the opening 18, and the drain pipe 19 has a plate portion20 which is affixed to the bottom wall 17 as for example by means ofsecuring elements 21.

Mounted in the upper portion of the housing 14 is a filter member orscreen 23 which is adapted to be retained in place by means of supportmembers 24, FIG- URES 2 and 3. The numeral 25 indicates a trough or wallmember 25 which is arranged below the filter 23, and a fitting or pipesection 26 depends from the lower portion of the trough 25.

The numeral 27 indicates an axle or rod which is pivotally or rotatablysupported as for example by means of bearings 28, and the bearings 28are shown to comprise retainers 29 which have the material 30 thereinfor holding a suitable quantity of lubricant such as oil or grease, andinclined conduits 31 are connected to the retainers 29 whereby thelubricant can be introduced into the bearings, and caps 32 arereleasably mounted on the upper ends of the conduits 31 so that bymoving the caps 32 as for example from the position shown in FIGURE 2,the lubricant can be introduced into the upper ends of the conduits 31so that this lubricant will flow down through the conduits 31 and intothe bearings 28 in order to provide lubrication for the moving rod oraxle 27.

The numeral 33 designates each of a pair of arms or bars which aresuitably afiixed to the rod 27, as for example by means of a set screw40, FIGURE 3, and a counterweight or a weighted body member 34 isconnected to the arms 33, as for example by means of a securing element35. The numeral 36 indicates a hollow container or receptacle which isalso secured to or formed integral with the arms 33, and the container36 is arranged on the opposite side of the rod 27 from the counterweight34.

The container 36 is arranged below the outlet pipe 26, and the upperportion of the container 36 is open, while the bottom of the container36 is closed, and the bottom of the container 36 is shown provided witha plurality of apertures or openings 37. The container 36 includes awall portion 39 which has its upper end recessed or cutaway as indicatedby the numeral 38, so that at times the water can overflow through thecut-away portion 33 as for example as indicated by the arrows in FIGURE2.

There is further provided an electrically actuated signal means whichwill provide a signal for the user or operator of the boat when thecooling water is properly circulating, and also the signal means willindicate to the user of the boat when the cooling water is notfunctioning or circulating properly. The numeral 41 indicates a cover orcasing which is suitably affixed to the housing 14, as for example bymeans of securing elements 42, FIGURE 4. Arranged inside of the casing41 is a pair of spaced apart terminals 43 and 44, and the numeral 45indicates a movable bracket which is afiixed to an end of the rod 27 asfor example by means of a securing element or set screw 46. The bracket45 is provided with a pair of spaced apart contacts 47 and 48 which aremounted for movement into and out of electrical engagement with theterminals 43 and 44. There is further provided .an electrical circuitwhich includes conductors or wires 49 and 50 that are connected to theterminals 43 and 44, and the electrical also includes signal lights suchas the green light 51 and the red light 52, and these lights may bearranged in a convenient location such as on the dash board of the boator the like. The numeral 53 indicates a source of electrical energy suchas the battery which is grounded as at 54, and the electrical circuitalso includes a switch 55. As shown in FIGURE 4 a wire or conductor 56is adapted to be connected to the magneto of the marine engineso thatwhen the cooling water fails to circulate properly, the green light 51will be turned oif, automatically, and at the same time the red light 52will be turned on automatically and due to the provision of theconductor 56, the conventional magneto of the outboard engine or motorwill be grounded so as to automatically stop the engine whereby not onlywill a visual signal be provided to indicate that the cooling water isnot circulating, but in addition the engine will be automaticallystopped so as to insure that there will be no damage to the engine fromoverheating due to proper circulation of cooling water. The numeral 57indicates a ground wire for the member 45.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a signalor indicating mechanism which is especially suitable for use inindicating the absence or circulation of fluid such as cooling waterthrough an engine such as the outboard marine engine or motor 10. Inuse, with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, it will be seenthat with the engine clamped onto a boat such as by means of the clamp22, the usual pump will cause the cooling water to be circulated throughthe cooling passages in the engine as for example through the coolingpassages which surround the cylinder Walls and head, and after removingthe heat, the water flows down the motor leg where it may mix with theexhaust gases and pass out the usual exhaust outlet. A small amount ofthe cooling water is permitted to run through the small hole or pipe 12and various factors may cause the motor to run hot such as insufficientoil in the fuel, weeds over the inlet holes, or improper carburetoradjustments.

With the indicator 13 arranged as shown in FIGURE 1 for example, it willbe seen that the housing 14 may be secured in place as for example bymeans of the securing elements 15 so that the water from the fitting orpipe 12 will discharge into the top of the housing 14 and this waterwill pass downwardly through the screen or filter 23 into the trough 25and the water will then leave or discharge through the fitting 26 intothe container 36. The container 36 is secured to or formed integral withthe arms 33, and the arms 33 are fastened to the pivotally mounted rodor axle 27, and the counterweight 34 is also suitably afiixed to thearms 33. The water in the container 36 is transferred to the housing 14as later described in this application, and this fluid or water willthen pass downwardly through the opening 18 and then out through thedrain pipe 19 so that this water can be returned to the river, lake orother body of water in which the boat is operating.

It is to be noted with the parts arranged as shown in FIGURE 4, theengine is being provided with the proper amount of cooling water so thatthe weight of the water in the container36 overcomes the weight of themember 34 and this condition means that the rod 27 and its associatedparts will be urged in a clockwise direction, FIG- URES 2 and 4, wherebythe contact 48 will be in engagement with the terminal 44, and at thesame time, the contact 47 will be out of engagement with the terminal43. Thus, the electrical circuit to the green light 51 will becompleted, but the electrical circuit to the red light 52 and theelectrical circuit through the conductor 56 to the magneto will bedisconnected. Thus, the operator of the boat will be able to observe thegreen light and know that the cooling system is functioning properly.

In the event that the cooling water stops circulating in theproperquantity for any reason whatsover, the weight of the member 34 willovercome the weight of the container 36 so that the weight 34 will causethe rod to rock or pivot in a counter-clockwise direction, FIGURES 2' 4and4, so thatthe contact 48 willmove out of engagement with the terminal44, and at the same time the contact 47 will move into engagement withthe terminal 43. This will cause the electrical circuit to the greenlight to be opened, and at the same time the electrical circuit to thered light 52 will be closed and thus the red warning light will providean indication to the user of the boat that there is trouble in thecooling system so that the necessary corrective action can be taken'inorder to prevent damage to the engine due to overheating or lack ofcooling water.

In certain instances the conductor or Wire 56 can be utilized toautomatically stop operation of the engine when the red light 52 is onso that not only will there be a visual indication of improper coolingwater circulation, but also there is anautomatic means for grounding themagneto in order to stop operation of the engine sothat damage theretowill be prevented,

The bearings 28 which support the moving'rod 27 are properly lubricatedso that the rod 27 is .freeto turnand actuate the signal as previouslydescribed.

The parts can be made of any suitable material andin various forms,shapes or sizes.

The warning signal of thepresent invention has a simple and ruggedconstruction which does not use any springs or floats and wherein thereis only a minimum number of moving parts. The present invention isespecially suitable as a marine engine water pump warning signal. Theprinciples of the present invention are applicable to other types offluid circulating systems. Primarily, the purpose of the presentinvention is to Warn the operator of motor boats that the water is beingpumped through the cooling system of the engine. The water in marineengines must be pumped from the water that the boat is moving in, andmost marine engines have rubber water pumps which cool the engines goingfastor slow, and as the rubber blades give in motion, they will pumpsand, gravel, and vegetation that is in most bodies of water. Thepresent invention captures the water after it has passed through theengine and if the water pump is working alright, the green light 51remains on. If at any time the screen on the engine is stopped up or ifthe blades on the water pump are broken, then the water will stop goingthrough the indicator 13, the cup or container 36 will drain, and thegreen light 51 will go off. Since the weight 34 is heavier than thecontainer 36 when the container 36 is empty, the weight 34 will tip thebars 33 and container 36 and a red light 52 will COH'IG'OH which is onlya few seconds after the pump stops so-that the engine will neveroverheat and this is important since without water the engine could bedamaged or even. ruined.

The lights such as the lights:51 and 52 areadaptedto be arranged in aconvenient location such as on the dashboard and these lights are smallcandle power lightsvso that there will be no chance of the breakerpoints sticking. closed or burning out, and they are on the ground sideof the current and require very little amperage from the battery such asthe battery 53. The screen 23 on the signal covers the entire top, andany foreign matter such as sand or the like which goes through the waterpump will go through the signal device 13 since the openings orapertures 37 in the bottom of the cup or container 36 are larger thanthe openings in the screen mesh 23, and there is no chance of theopenings stopping up. Thedrain holes or apertures 37 are smaller thanthe outlet water opening 12 on the motor so that the container 36 cannotdrain as fast as the water falls into it. The container 36 fills andoverflows through the cutaway portion 38 so as to bring the container 36downwhich makes the green light points 48 and 44 engageor contact, andwhen the pump is not Working or the motor is stopped, the water drainsfrom the cup or container 36 and makes the weight 34 tip down so thattheredt light contact points 47 'and 43- will be in engagement.

with each other whereby the red light 52 will come on and warn thedriver or operator of the boat.

On magneto ignition motors, the red light wire 50 is adapted to beelectrically connected to the engine magneto by means of the wire 56 sothat the magneto will be automatically grounded and wherein the motorWill be stopped when the pump is not working. By providing the switch 55in the electrical circuit and turning the switch 55 on after the motoris started and the water is going through the signal, the aforementionedoperation can take place. The signal 13 can be mounted on a suitablelocation as for example it can be mounted on the engine as shown inFIGURE 1 or else it can be arranged in different positions and since thesignal has a minimum number of moving parts and since the signal isprovided with the oil wick bearings 28, trouble free operation isassured.

The parts can be made economically from a suitable material such assheet metal, aluminum, plastic or the like, and suitable types ofholding clamps or brackets can be used for fastening the indicator tothe marine engine or motor.

The position of the contacts 47 and 48 as well as the terminals 43 and44 serve a dual purpose since they not only provide a means for openingand closing the electrical circuit to the lights, but they also act asstops to limit movement of the various elements or parts.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided a marine engine waterpump warning signal which will warn the boat driver when the water pumpis working properly or when the Water pump is not working properly andthe present invention is applicable to inboard as well as outboardmarine engines or motors. The red and green lights may be arranged onthe dashboard of the boat on electric models. When being used withmanually operated engines having a magneto, the motor will be shut offwhen there is insuificient water circulating through the system. Thus,damage to motors will be prevented and also overheating or the like willbe eliminated or prevented. The indicator can be mounted on the engine,in back of the boat, in the motor well on outboard boats or in any othersuitable place. If desired suitable supply and drain lines or conduitscan be extended from the motor to the indicator and by utilizing lightsof small candle power, there will be little likelihood that the pointswill stick or burn out. The openings 37 are larger than the openings inthe screen 23 so that sand, small gravel and the like that passesthrough the screen will pass through the openings 37 and out of theunit. Also, the size of the pipe or discharge fitting 12 is larger thanthe size of the plurality of openings 37 so that the water fills thecontainer 36 which tips the bracket 45 to turn on the green light sothat the driver will know that the motor is being provided with coolingWater. This water will flow over the upper front portion 38 of thecontainer 36 and into the housing 14 and then out through the dischargepipe 19. The lever or bracket 45 and the points or contacts 47 and '48only travel a short distance. The sealed bearings are constructed sothat water is prevented from entering the interior thereof and this isbecause the bucket overflow when the motor is stopped, the container 36empties and the red light stays on until the switch 55 is turned off.When the motor is ofi, or when there is a bad pump, or when there is astufled hole from the motor, the red warning light comes on. The pointsalso act as stops which make positive contact of the points so that thered and green lights will not flicker after they change. Suitableinsulation such as insulation for the contacts can be used whereverdesired or required. The plate 20 can be used as an inspection plate.The switch 55 may be arranged on the dash of the boat. The wire 57 is asmall ground wire from the axle or rod 27 to the housing 14.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming withinthe field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, ifdesired.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, a marine engine of the typeincluding a magneto, said engine having a cooling water fluid outlet, ahousing for receiving water from said outlet, a filter embodying areticulated screen in said housing, a trough positioned below saidscreen and said trough having a depending outlet fitting, a pivotallymounted rod having arms aflixed thereto, a container connected to saidarms and arranged on one side of the rod, a counterweight connected tosaid arms and arranged on the other side of the rod from said container,said container having apertures in its lower end, said housing having adrain pipe in the bottom thereof, electric signal means actuated by saidrod, and conductor means for connection to the magneto actuated by saidrod, there being a cutaway portion in the upper end of said containerfor the overflow of water, said cutaway portion being arranged below therod so that bearings engaging the rod will not be contacted by thecooling water, the reticulated screen of the filter unit being of a meshso that the openings in the screen are smaller than the size of theapertures in the bottom of the container, and wherein the apertures inthe bottom of the container are smaller in size than the fluid outletfrom the engine.

2. In a device of the character described, a marine engine including amotor provided with a leg, a cooling water outlet on said motor, anindicator including a hollow housing aflixed to said leg, said housinghaving its upper end open and said housing adapted to receive water fromsaid outlet, said housing including a bottom wall provided with anopening therein, -a drain pipe mounted below said opening, a filter unitembodying a screen positioned in the upper portion of said housing, atrough arranged below said filter unit and said trough including adepending fitting for the passage therethrough of water, a horizontallydisposed movable rod mounted in said housing, a pair of spaced apartarms connected to said rod, a weighted body member connected to thearms, a hollow container aflixed to said arms, said container beingpositioned below the outlet fitting of said trough, there being aplurality of spaced apart apertures in the bottom of said container,there being a cutaway overflow portion in the upper end of saidcontainer, and electrically operated indicator means actuated by saidrods.

3. In a device of the character described, a marine engine including amotor provided with a leg, a cooling water outlet on said motor, anindicator including a hollow housing atfixed to said leg, said housinghaving its upper end open and said housing adapted to receive water fromsaid outlet, said housing including a bottom wall provided with anopening therein, a drain pipe mounted below said opening, a filter unitembodying a screen positioned in the upper portion of said housing, atrough arranged below said filter unit and said trough including adepending fitting for the passage therethrough of water, a horizontallydisposed movable rod mounted in said housing, a pair of spaced apartarms connected to said rod, a weighted body member connected to thearms, a hollow container afiixed to said arms, said container beingpositioned below the outlet fitting of said trough, there being aplurality of spaced apart apertures in the bottom of said container,there being a cutaway overflow portion in the upper end of saidcontainer, and electrically operated indicator means actuated by saidrods, said last named means comprising a casing aflixed to said.housing, an electrical circuit including a pair of spaced apartterminals arranged in said casing, a bracket connected to said rod andhaving a pair of contacts mounted for moving into and out of engagementwith said terminals, signal lights of diflerent colors electricallyconnected to said terminals, and said electrical circuit furtherincluding a source of electrical energy and a switch.

4. In a device of the character described, a marine engine including amotor provided with a leg, a cooling water outlet on said motor, anindicator including a hollow housing aflixed to said leg, said housinghaving its upper end open and said housing adapted to receive water fromsaid outlet, said housing including a bottom wall provided with anopening therein, a drain pipe mounted below said opening, a filter unitembodying a screen positioned in the upper portion of said housing, atrough arranged below said filter unit and said trough including adepending fitting for the passage therethrough of water, a horizontallydisposed movable rod mounted in said housing, a pair of spaced apartarms connected to said rod, a weighted body member connected to thearms, a hollow container affixed to said arms, said container beingpositioned below the outlet fitting of said trough, there being aplurality of spaced apart apertures in the bottom of said container,there being a cutaway overflow portion in the upper end of saidcontainer, and electrically operated indicator means actuated by saidrods, said last named means comprising a casing aflixed to said housing,an electrical circuit including a pair of spaced apart terminalsarranged in said casing, a bracket connected to said rod and having apair of contacts mounted for moving into and out of engagement with saidterminals, signal lights of different colors electrically connected tosaid terminals, and said electrical circuit further including a sourceof electrical energy and a switch, and a conductor electricallyconnected to said circuit for connection to the magneto of the engine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,327,558 Reavis Aug. 24, 1943

